Cut Metal with Your Circular Saw It may not be an obvious choice, but fitted with the right blade, a circular saw is a great metal-cutting tool. In our test, it cut through rebar like a hot knife through butter. You can cut mild steel up to about 3/8 in. thick using a ferrous-metal-cutting blade.
To successfully cut metal or aluminum with a circular saw you’ll ideally need a saw with a brushless motor as you’ll likely cause less wear & tear on the motor when compared to a brushed type motor. If you’re purely looking for a metal cutting circular saw, you’ll also have to consider both the saw blade and the actual saw. If you’re are a construction worker and would consider it cost-effective buying a metal cutting circular saw, you can take a look at the Makita XSC04Z which was explicitly designed as a metal cutting saw with the necessary saw blades already included.
You have a lot of factors to consider in the metal-cutting vs circular saw question-like blade speed, the blade itself, and the collection of metal shavings created by the blade. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 7-1/4-inch circular saw has a no-load RPM of 5,800 whereas the Milwaukee FUEL 8″ metal saw comes in at 4,000. Stick with circular saws designed for each specific task, and don’t be afraid to go for a corded metal cutting saw if a cordless model is too tough on your budget.
In another post, a reader asked why a wood-cutting circular saw cannot be used on metal. Let’s look at 2 saws – Milwaukee’s new M18 Fuel brushless metal-cutting circular saw, and their full-sized M18 Fuel brushless wood-cutting circular saw. When it comes to cutting a lot of the types of materials you would use a metal-cutting circular saw on, such as angle iron, that wood-cutting circular saw blade is going to be spinning way too fast and might not have the torque needed for fast or safe performance.
Circular saws work on the same principle as a mitre or chop saw a circular saw is not fixed to a cutting plinth; this gives complete freedom over the cutting movement to enable freehand straight and gently curved cuts to be achieved. When using a circular saw for cutting metal it is important to ensure it has an enclosed motor housing to protect the motor from damage caused by metal chips. Regularly apply cutting fluid as the saw travels the length of the cut to reduce heat and allow a clean cut.
can i cut metal with my circular saw Related Question:
Can you put a metal cutting blade on a circular saw?
Only blades and discs specified for cutting metal should be used. These professional circular saw blades are perfect for cutting through aluminium, copper, lead and other non-ferrous metals; while these diamond cutting discs will make light work of cutting through stainless steel.
Can you use a wood saw to cut metal?
While a metal-cutting saw has a collection bin to prevent metal chips from getting into the machine, a woodcutting saw isn’t designed this way. If you do decide to use a wood saw on metal, only use a 7 1/4-inch blade and preferably a worm drive blade, which provides extra torque.
What is different about a metal cutting circular saw?
Metal cutting saws differ from standard circular saws in the following ways: Lower RPMs to cut more efficiently in metal. Optional debris collectors to catch metal shavings (some models) Smaller blade sizes further reduce RPMs and allow for more control.
What kind of saw do you use to cut metal?
Hack Saw. The hack saw is the most common hand saw used to cut metal. The hack saw’s most recognizable characteristic is a rigid, C-shaped frame attached to a pistol grip handle. A thin, slightly flexible blade runs across the open portion of the hack saw’s frame.
Can I cut aluminium with a circular saw?
Most grades of aluminum offer excellent work ability and weldability, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. The preferred way to cut this material is with a miter saw but a circular saw still works.
Can a handsaw cut metal?
There are hand saws for cutting wood, drywall, metal and plastic. Even though hand saw uses vary and choosing the right saw for the job is important, the basic technique for using a hand saw is the same.
How do you cut sheet metal with a circular saw?
Clamp the Metal to Workbench: A metal section to be cut must be hung over the edge of the blade. This helps in the uniform cutting of the metal piece. By turning the circular saw, the blade starts cutting the metal at its desired speed.
Can I cut metal with chop saw?
While a chop saw is the best option for cutting metal effectively, they are not the cheapest of power tools. That said, if you’re cutting metal, mild-steel or aluminium on a regular basis, a chop saw like the Makita LC1230 12-Inch Metal Cutting Saw would be very ideal for all of your future metal cutting needs.
Can you use a masonry blade to cut metal?
Yes, certain diamond blades can cut through metal, but this will depend entirely on the blades application. Most diamond blades are used to cut through concrete, brick, tile, and asphalt. But, not all blades are the same.
Can you cut stainless steel with a circular saw?
You can quickly cut through stainless steel with a circular saw if you use the right blade. Make sure you get a circular saw that can cut through sheet metal that’s as thick as yours is. Get a diamond saw blade. Diamond saw blades are stronger than other saw blades you can use with a circular saw.
How do you cut thick metal?
Use an oxy-acetylene torch to cut through thick steel plates. Oxy-fuel torches cut through far thicker materials than plasma. Use oxy-fuel to cut through any steel thicker than 1 inch (2.5 cm). It’s possible for an oxy-fuel to cut through up to 48 inches (120 cm) of steel.
How do you cut sheet metal straight at home?
For thin sheets of metal, you can use tin snips to cut through it. To make detailed cuts in sheet metal, use a Dremel blade. Clamp the sheet metal to a work table and press the Dremel blade against it. Move the blade along the intended line until you reach the end of your cut.
How do you select a saw blade for different materials?
Typically, thicker metals, plastics or wood sections require saws with bigger blades, while hard materials require saws with larger teeth. The actual number of teeth on the work is crucial, with at least three on each section of material being worked.
Should you wear a mask when cutting metal?
When cutting metal, you should be wearing gloves to protect your hands from the vibration and excess friction that can occur. You should also wear safety glasses to protect your eyes while providing clear visibility, and a face mask to guard against any stray fibers being blown around.
Can you use a steel cutting blade to cut aluminum?
Ferrous metal blades can be used for cutting all types of metal construction products including steel siding, roofing, steel studs, and other construction steel. Non-ferrous metal blades are designed for cutting products such as aluminum, aluminum trims, copper and brass.
